It is easy to get caught up in the oil disaster (no longer just a spill) and start to feel pretty helpless watching the recurrent image of the gushing oil flow that began almost two months ago. The idea that thousands are voicing their own ideas to BP on how to plug the leak gives you a sense of the desperation. So, if you’re not a bio-systems engineer, what can you do to help? Here are the top five ways you can get involved: 1. REPORT AND DOCUMENT: If you live along the Gulf Coast and spot oil or injured wildlife, there are ways to report it:
- To report oiled wildlife: 866 557 1401
- To report oil spill-related damage: 800 440 0858
- To report oiled shoreline: 866 448 5816
- To document effects of the spill: iPhone users can download the Noah’s Project app to document the impact of the spill on wildlife and shorelines.
2. DONATE: Whether it is money, hair, dish soap, or a boat, here is a list of organizations that are accepting donations from the public (taken from the dailygreen.com).
- National Audubon Society is working to aid birds and habitat.
- National Wildlife Federation is responding to the spill. Text WILDLIFE to 20222 to donate $10.
- Greater New Orleans Foundation is assisting locally.
- Matter of Trust is accepting donations of hair, fur and nylons, which are used to aid in the oil response.
- Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences, which protects important shorebird habitats in the Gulf and throughout the Americas, will be documenting damage to birds and striving to restore them.
- Dawn will donate $1 of your purchase of dish soap to help wildlife if you activate your donation online.
- Vessels of Opportunity is accepting help from local boat operators.
3. PICK UP TRASH, LEAVE NATURAL DEBRIS: The state of Florida is calling on volunteers to pick up any trash they see on the shoreline and leave natural debris as it can provide shelter for injured wildlife. 4. VOICE YOUR OPINION, SIGN A PETITION:
- Oceana offers an online petition to stop offshore drilling completely.
- Sierra Club, Oceana and NWF wrote the letters for you. All you have to do is personalize and hit send.
5. BOYCOTT BP AND STOP USING SO MUCH OIL: To address long-term consequences of our dependency on oil, start using public transportation, buy a fuel-efficient or electric car and be energy efficient in your own home or office. — Courtney Centeno, account executive
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